London has been battered by 50mph winds that have felled trees and caused travel chaos. Powerful gusts swept across the capital as the Met Office issued a yellow "be aware" weather alert for most of the country.

Xstrata today postponed the shareholder vote on its planned merger with Glencore after it was forced into renegotiating terms.

The AGM for investors to vote on the deal — which many think will not happen — was to be held on July 12. It will be adjourned now while the companies hold further discussions with shareholders.

Investors have been angered that Xstrata is being valued too cheaply in the deal, and its chief executive Mick Davis and his management team are being paid too much in a “golden handcuffs” deal. Major shareholders including Qatar and Knight Vinke have opposed it.